Production begins on third-generation BMW X5 at Spartanburg County facility

Production of the third-generation BMW X5 officially began Thursday, according to a written statement from the automaker.

BMW photo

From staff reports

Published: Thursday, August 1, 2013 at 11:02 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, August 1, 2013 at 11:02 a.m.

Production of the third-generation BMW X5 officially began Thursday, according to a written statement from the automaker.

The first new BMW X5, which was produced at the Spartanburg County facility, is mineral white with a 6-cylinder inline diesel engine. It features Nappa mocha leather interior and will be shipped to a dealer in Eastern Europe to generate buzz about the new vehicle.

According to a statement from BMW, the final second-generation X5 was produced on June 28. Since 1999, more than 1.3 million X5s have been produced.

Meanwhile, sales of the X5 helped lead the automaker's business in the United States to a nearly 11 percent increase in July.

BMW of North America LLC reported Thursday it sold 29,993 vehicles last month, compared to 27,152 during the same month of 2012.

For the year, the company has sold 202,780 vehicles, a more than 9 percent increase compared to the 185,715 sold during the first seven months of last year.

“July is a pivotal month, setting the trend for the second half of the year, and the numbers show the trend is with us,” said Ludwig Willisch, president and CEO of BMW of North America, in a statement. “We have a strong line-up of new vehicles to launch in the months ahead led by the all-new X5, which started production today, and the beautiful BMW 4 Series Coupe which arrives in the fall.”

X5 sales increased more than 17 percent to 2,674 units in June, compared to 2,283 during the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, the company has sold 24,133 units, a more than 8 percent increase from 22,264 during the same span of 2012.

Two other models produced in Spartanburg — the X3 and X6 — had a tough month.

X3 sales decreased more than 9 percent to 2,099 units, compared to 2,311 during July 2012. X6 sales for the month fell more than 18 percent to 212 units, compared to 259 last year. Sales of both vehicles for the first seven months of 2013 have decreased by more than 2 percent.

BMW brand sales increased almost 13 percent during the month, while the company's MINI brand sales edged up slightly by nearly 2 percent.

<p>Production of the third-generation BMW X5 officially began Thursday, according to a written statement from the automaker.</p><p>The first new BMW X5, which was produced at the Spartanburg County facility, is mineral white with a 6-cylinder inline diesel engine. It features Nappa mocha leather interior and will be shipped to a dealer in Eastern Europe to generate buzz about the new vehicle.</p><p>According to a statement from BMW, the final second-generation X5 was produced on June 28. Since 1999, more than 1.3 million X5s have been produced.</p><p>Meanwhile, sales of the X5 helped lead the automaker's business in the United States to a nearly 11 percent increase in July.</p><p>BMW of North America LLC reported Thursday it sold 29,993 vehicles last month, compared to 27,152 during the same month of 2012.</p><p>For the year, the company has sold 202,780 vehicles, a more than 9 percent increase compared to the 185,715 sold during the first seven months of last year.</p><p>“July is a pivotal month, setting the trend for the second half of the year, and the numbers show the trend is with us,” said Ludwig Willisch, president and CEO of BMW of North America, in a statement. “We have a strong line-up of new vehicles to launch in the months ahead led by the all-new X5, which started production today, and the beautiful BMW 4 Series Coupe which arrives in the fall.”</p><p>X5 sales increased more than 17 percent to 2,674 units in June, compared to 2,283 during the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, the company has sold 24,133 units, a more than 8 percent increase from 22,264 during the same span of 2012.</p><p>Two other models produced in Spartanburg — the X3 and X6 — had a tough month.</p><p>X3 sales decreased more than 9 percent to 2,099 units, compared to 2,311 during July 2012. X6 sales for the month fell more than 18 percent to 212 units, compared to 259 last year. Sales of both vehicles for the first seven months of 2013 have decreased by more than 2 percent.</p><p>BMW brand sales increased almost 13 percent during the month, while the company's MINI brand sales edged up slightly by nearly 2 percent.</p>